When former Illinois football coach Bill Cubit told B.J. Bello after his junior season he wasn't good enough to play for the Illini, the Lincoln-Way West graduate could have given up on his dream of playing in the NFL.

He could have given up on playing college football.

In a testament to his character, Bello didn't allow that assessment to alter his outlook or determination.

Bello still believed he was an NFL-caliber linebacker.

"When someone tells you you're not good enough to play at Illinois, one of the bottom teams in the Big Ten, how can you expect to play in the NFL?" Bello said. "But God had a plan. I had one year of eligibility left to make an impact.

"I told myself to not let any man deny me of my dreams."

Bello decided to transfer to Illinois State, and it was a wise decision.

The 6-foot-3, 229-pound Bello produced a monster season for the Redbirds in 2016, registering 9 ½ tackles for loss and six sacks. ISU also gave Bello something Illinois didn't: the faith and freedom to showcases his skills.

"Once I stepped foot there, I knew it was where I was supposed to be," Bello said. "The coaches saw in me what I saw in myself."

Bello saw a lot of the sideline at Illinois. He played in just 13 games his first two seasons under coach Tim Beckman.

When Beckman was fired, Cubit took over in 2015. Bello and Cubit had a little history. Bello had initially verbally committed to Western Michigan out of Lincoln-Way West, where he was an all-area defensive back.

But Bello had a change of heart and attended Illinois. Guess who was head coach at the time at Western Michigan?

Yep, Cubit.

"I wish I knew exactly what was going on," Bello said. "But I know I should have been playing more."

Despite a stellar season at ISU, Bello was passed over in the 2017 NFL draft. Baltimore, Seattle and Cleveland made offers.

"I knew if I didn't get drafted, I would have a chance to sign as an undrafted free agent," Bello said. "Seeing which team gave me the best chance to make the team, I chose Cleveland. I just wanted an opportunity."

Bello ran with each opportunity. He played in all four preseason games, the final one against the Bears.

"The day after, they were making cuts," Bello asid. "I remember getting a call in the morning from the Browns telling me I did everything I needed to do, but there was no room for me at linebacker and they were going to have to let me go."

Instead of being upset about the news, Bello had a different reaction.

"I wasn't down at all," Bello said. "I asked myself, 'Why do I feel good that I got cut?' I just knew that it wasn't over for me. I still believed I was going to make an NFL team."

Two days later, the Browns signed Bello to their practice squad.

The news would get better, the journey more fullfilling.

On Sept. 8, two days before Cleveland's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Browns added Bello to their 53-player roster.

His dream to play in the NFL was, indeed, about to become a reality.

"I remember standing next to (Steelers quarterback) Ben Roethlisberger," Bello said. "I would watch him and other players growing up, and now I'm on the same field with them. It almost brings a tear to your eye."

Bello has primarily played special teams for the Browns. He's credited with three tackles in four games.

He looks back at his journey and, believe it or not, wouldn't change a thing.

"I went through a lot of obstacles," Bello said. "I've learned so much about life and people. I wouldn't be the man I am today. I'm a living testament that if you put your mind to something, you can do it."